Nut-cracker.



N0. 759,033. PATENTED MAY 3, 1904. G. E. SMITH.

NUT CRAGKER.

APPLIGATION FILED APR. 29. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

| PETERS co. Fuom-uwo, wasummon D42.

NTTED STATES Patented May 3, 1904.

PATENT OrEIcE.

JAMES E. IilAMlL'lON, Oh SIMSBURY, CONNIE TICUT.

NlJT-ClRACKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 759,033, dated May 3, 1904.

Application filed Aplll29,1903.

Serial No. 154,837. (No model.)

To (LZZ w/wm/ H rim/y concern:

Be it known that l, CLARENCE E. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Britain, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nut Crackers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in the class of n ut-crackers known as household or individual nut-crackers; and its object is to provide a device simple, strong, and durable in construction, easy of manipulation, and certain in operation.

To these ends my invention in its n'eferable embodiment comprises the combination and arrangement of the various parts having the general mode of operationsubstantially as hereinafter fully described in the specification and shown in the accom tianying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side view showing the nutcracker with its jaws open in position to receive the nut; Fig. 2, a sectional view on line :r a: of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, an end view of the jaws; Fig. i, a modification of Fig. 3, and Figl 5 a modification of Fig. 2,

Referring to the drawings, a is the upper handle of any convenient form by which motion between the jaws is imparted and it is prefcrablyprm'ided with a rounded flatten ed inner end 6, which fits between two lugs c (l on the inner end of a sin'iilarlower handle 1 forming a forked joint, and thereby giving a pivotal connection therewith by means of a pin or other suitable fastening means f passed therethrough. Integral with the lower handle a and extending forward from the lugs e (Z is the lower jaw g, preferably formed with corrugations /t on its inner face to prevent the nut from slipping when placed. thereon and clamped between the jaws by means of power applied to the pivoted handle or lcvera The upper jaw ii is preferably provided with corrugations j on its inner face in a similar manner to the lower jaw and for the same purpose. The upper jaw 2 is connected at its outer end to the outer end of the lower jaw g by means of a forked joint similar in construction to the joint by which the handles are secured together, the lower jaw 5 being provided with two lugs 71: Z, between which. fits the rounded and flattened end of the upper jaw i, the whole secured together by a rivet or other means at passed therethrough. The inner end of the upper jaw c is provided with a pair of lugs a 0, and the jaw is adapted to slide in a slot 1, formed in a lug 1 on the upper handle (1/ by means of a pin or rivet r passed through the lug and the slot; but this sliding motion of the inner end of the upper jaw for the purpose of gaining leverage may also be obtained by forming a T-lug on the end of the jaw and a groove in the upper handle to engage it (see Fig. or by various other means well known in the art without departing from the scope of my invention. In like manner I do not wish to limit myself to the particular form of joint above described by which the inner ends of the handles and outer ends of the jaws are secured together and given pivotal connection. A modification of such connection is shown in Fig. 4, where each jaw or handle is provided with a single rounded and flattened lug given a pivotal movement by means of a pin or rivet passed therethrough.

The operation of the device is as follows: The handle a is raised, which motion throws the inner end. of the upper jaw 11 to the outer end of the slot 7), and thereby raises the said jaw to the position shown in Fig. l and forming a triangular-shaped space between the upper and lower jaws. A nut of any desired size is then placed between the jaws, and when in position pressure is applied on the handle a, which drives the pin r through the slot ,1.) toward its inner end, causing the jaws to compress together, said compression cracking the nut.

Obviously my invention may be used in varying forms.

Therefore without limiting myself to the construction shown and described or enumerating equivalents, l claim, and desire to obtain by Letters Patent, the following:

1. As an article of manufacture a nutcracker consisting of two members provided with jaws connected together at one end and means pivotally connected to one end of one of said jaws and slidabl y connected to one end of the other whereby said jaws are operated, substantially as described.

2. As an article of manufacture a nutcracker consisting of two members provided with jaws pivotally connected together at one end and an operating-lever pivotally connected to one end of one of said jaws and slidably connected to one end of the other, substantially as described.

3. As an article of manufacture a nutcracker consisting of two jaws connected together at one end, a handle integral with one of said jaws and a second handle having a pivotal connection with one end of one of said jaws and a slidable connection with one end of the other whereby said jaws are operated, substantially as described.

4. As an article of manufacture, a nutcracker consisting of upper and lower jaws connected together at one end, upper and lower handles, said lower handle being integral with said lower jaw, said upper handle being pivotally connected to said lower jaw, and a slidable connection between said upper handle and said upper jaw consisting of a pin in engagement with a slot, substantially as described.

5. As an article of manufacture, a nut cracker consisting of upper and lower jaws pivotally connected at one end, upper and lower handles, said lower handle being integral with said lower jaw, said upper handle being pivotally connected to said lower jaw, and a lug provided with a slot carried by said upper handle and slidably connected to said upper jaw whereby motion is imparted to the jaws when said upper handle is raised and lowered, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE E. SMITH.

\Vitnesses:

FRED M Homnss, WV. A. KIMBALL. 

